Ladli Behena Yojana Raises Aid for Women But Sparks Concern Over State's Soaring Debt

This news bulletin examines the financial strain facing Madhya Pradesh due to populist welfare schemes, with Ladli Behena Yojana at the forefront. The bulletin notes that the scheme now supports nearly 1.26 crore women with Rs 1,500 per month, a hike implemented after Diwali under the current Chief Minister, pushing the scheme’s annual cost to approximately Rs 22,000 crore. A key quote highlights the depth of the crisis: ‘Madhya Pradesh is currently under a heavy debt burden of 4.65 lakh crore rupees, which is higher than the state's total budget of 4.21 lakh crore rupees for 2025-26.’ The coverage details technical and documentation difficulties for several women beneficiaries, mounting debt due to election promises, and debates over the sustainability of such welfare spending. The opposition’s criticism and delays in government projects due to budgetary constraints are also discussed.